Waldorf school philosophy: What are the pros and cons

Anonymous
I'd appreciate hearing both sides.
Anonymous
Both sides of what? If it’s not for you, then there you go.

Pros:
emphasis on being outside daily—no matter the weather
Waiting on reading/writing until age 7 (like most European countries)

Con:
Not designed for kids with LDs
Anonymous
Agree with the pros above.

More cons:
-some schools allow bullying, saying that the bullied kid brings it on themself
-attracts parents who are overly into the aesthetics of Waldorf
-I live in an anthroposophical community for a summer, and a lot of the young adults complained that their education had been incredibly lacking
Anonymous
Another con is that the child is very behind if they switch to any other school.
Anonymous
Is Waldorf really bad for kids with LDs? I've heard the delayed reading (and extra training on hand strength) is actually helpful for those with dyslexia.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Both sides of what? If it’s not for you, then there you go.

Pros:
emphasis on being outside daily—no matter the weather
Waiting on reading/writing until age 7 (like most European countries)

Con:
Not designed for kids with LDs


The waiting until 6 or 7 for reading or writing like in European countries is not quite accurate. I’m from Europe and while it’s true that formal schooling begins at 7, it’s rare to have children that don’t know how to read or do some sort of writing by than. In my country, almost every single child goes to excellent preschools, the figure is 95% of 3-6 years old attend a preschool where teachers are required to have a bachelors degree. The preschools all teach the same core curriculum that’s set by the state. It’s different in the US where you have hit or miss preschools depending on your income and where you live.
Anonymous
Pro: being outdoors, no technology

Con: attracts unvaccinated kids, weird hippie parents who think you can cure everything with ACV and essential oils, kids are being in their education if they ever transfer to a regular school, in some schools there’s really a lack of oversight when it comes to anything educational at all and you’ll find older kids who are behind sitting around with the younger kids
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Is Waldorf really bad for kids with LDs? I've heard the delayed reading (and extra training on hand strength) is actually helpful for those with dyslexia.


A kid showing language delays or actually being diagnosed with dyslexia needs to have this addressed as soon as possible. Waldorf and most public schools don’t address this appropriately.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the pros above.

More cons:
-some schools allow bullying, saying that the bullied kid brings it on themself
-attracts parents who are overly into the aesthetics of Waldorf
-I live in an anthroposophical community for a summer, and a lot of the young adults complained that their education had been incredibly lacking


We saw one case of bullying in front of us during a tour. There was a girl of about 4 or 5 and she was literally behaving like a feral child and hitting another child and grabbing things. I asked if that was normal and the teacher said she was going through a process of “expressing herself”. It was appalling, the girl would have been taken out of the classroom immediately in a regular school.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the pros above.

More cons:
-some schools allow bullying, saying that the bullied kid brings it on themself
-attracts parents who are overly into the aesthetics of Waldorf
-I live in an anthroposophical community for a summer, and a lot of the young adults complained that their education had been incredibly lacking


We saw one case of bullying in front of us during a tour. There was a girl of about 4 or 5 and she was literally behaving like a feral child and hitting another child and grabbing things. I asked if that was normal and the teacher said she was going through a process of “expressing herself”. It was appalling, the girl would have been taken out of the classroom immediately in a regular school.


Actually you’d be surprised what goes on in a public school. When a kid has a meltdown, the rest of the class actually has to leave.
Anonymous
Pros: outdoor times, hand crafts

Cons: anti-vaxxers abound
Anonymous
I wanted to love it and thought that I understood the philosophy but then when to the Washington Waldorf school open house and realized it was too out there for us. They have some weird take on religion/spiritual figures in literature that starts being taught at young ages and it just didn't work for our family. Investigate the actual curriculum and ask to see examples of work.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the pros above.

More cons:
-some schools allow bullying, saying that the bullied kid brings it on themself
-attracts parents who are overly into the aesthetics of Waldorf
-I live in an anthroposophical community for a summer, and a lot of the young adults complained that their education had been incredibly lacking


We saw one case of bullying in front of us during a tour. There was a girl of about 4 or 5 and she was literally behaving like a feral child and hitting another child and grabbing things. I asked if that was normal and the teacher said she was going through a process of “expressing herself”. It was appalling, the girl would have been taken out of the classroom immediately in a regular school.


Actually you’d be surprised what goes on in a public school. When a kid has a meltdown, the rest of the class actually has to leave.


They don't leave for just a "meltdown", they leave when a child is being aggressive or violent enough to endanger the rest of the kids. Presumably a kid like that would be on some sort of IEP or something, so it's not like it's ignored. Presumably.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I wanted to love it and thought that I understood the philosophy but then when to the Washington Waldorf school open house and realized it was too out there for us. They have some weird take on religion/spiritual figures in literature that starts being taught at young ages and it just didn't work for our family. Investigate the actual curriculum and ask to see examples of work.


This this this. The teachers truly believe that gnomes are responsible for scientific principles.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is Waldorf really bad for kids with LDs? I've heard the delayed reading (and extra training on hand strength) is actually helpful for those with dyslexia.


A kid showing language delays or actually being diagnosed with dyslexia needs to have this addressed as soon as possible. Waldorf and most public schools don’t address this appropriately.


+1

Also, not sure what hand strength has to do with dyslexia.
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